King Peanut takes on elders after debut romp
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – King Peanut will attempt to live up to his namesake Sunday, when he takes on older rivals for the first time in the featured eighth race at Oaklawn Park.
“I hope he wants to be the boss of the older boys,” trainer Dan Peitz said.
King Peanut was an impressive debut winner and will be one of the top contenders in Sunday’s competitive first-level allowance for 3-year-olds and up bred in Arkansas. The race will be run over six furlongs. It drew a full field of 12, plus two capable also-eligible runners in Lochmoor and Data Storm.
Peitz trains King Peanut for Rick Christian, who asked his son’s three boys to come up with the name for the horse when he was a foal. Christian’s grandchildren had a great approach, Peitz said.
“The youngest of the three boys wants to be the boss of the other two, so the older boys nicknamed him King Peanut,” Peitz said. “I thought it was kind of cute that the two older boys would name the horse after their youngest brother.”
King Peanut ruled in his debut, when he stalked the pace and drew clear by seven lengths Dec. 31 at Oaklawn. He won over six furlongs and established himself as one of the early favorites for the $150,000 Rainbow, a race for 3-year-old Arkansas-breds at the same distance April 8 at Oaklawn. The start Sunday is a bridge to that goal, and the current option available to King Peanut.
“I would have preferred a straight 3-year-old one-other-than instead of going against a bunch of 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds,” Peitz said. “He’s done great. He’s had plenty of time since that race. He’s training like he’s ready to run back to that race or better.”
King Peanut earned a strong Beyer Speed Figure of 70, which is one of the best last-race numbers in the field Sunday. He also has been flattered since the win, with two next-out winners emerging from the race, one taking a maiden special weight by 10 lengths last week at Oaklawn.
“You always like to see horses that you beat come back and run well,” Peitz said.
Peitz was impressed with the debut win from King Peanut.
“I was expecting him to run well – not draw off and win by seven lengths,” Peitz said. “You never expect that. I’m not one to squeeze on them, where they run the race of their lives first time out. There’s always room for improvement with mine second time out.
“I think he’s a nice little colt.”
King Peanut is a son of the Uncle Mo stallion Mo for the Money and the stakes-winning mare Smell the Roses. Francisco Arrieta was aboard for his debut win and again has the mount Sunday. The pair will break from post 6.
The chief rivals include Mahomey, a 4-year-old coming off a fourth-place finish in a $30,000 starter allowance won by Lochmoor, and Hamazing Wisdom, a four-time winner who is now 6.
Last Samurai to Essex
Last Samurai emerged from his win in the Grade 3, $600,000 Razorback Handicap in good order and is on pace to make his next start in the Grade 3, $500,000 Essex Handicap on March 18 at Oaklawn, trainer D. Wayne Lukas said Wednesday.
Lukas also said Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath remains on course to launch her season March 11 in the Grade 2, $350,000 Azeri at Oaklawn. She breezed five furlongs in 1:00.20 on Thursday.
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